PAPAR: The long-awaited new Papar Hospital will be completed by the end of the year, said Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
Construction of the four-storey hospital was announced in 2017, and it was to be completed by 2021.
However, it faced delays due to issues with contractors, as well as the impact of Covid-19.
"As a result, it was categorised as a 'sick project'," Dr Zaliha told reporters after visiting the construction site.
She said the project is now at the 62 per cent stage, behind the targeted 70 per cent.
She also noted that the cost of the project has increased from the initial RM84 million due to rising material prices.
Dr Zaliha said it would take a few months to staff the hospital.
She added that 12 projects under the ministry are categorised as 'sick', including the Papar Hospital, Beaufort Hospital and Sikuati health clinic in Kudat.
Earlier, she visited the Luyang and Kinarut clinics. Dr Zaliha is also expected to visit Sabah Women and Children's Hospital in Likas.
